ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) about its decision to reject the proposed hybrid model for hosting the Champions Trophy 2025.
The development comes as the ICC Board Directors are scheduled to meet on Friday. The PCB has reiterated its stance that Pakistan will not share hosting rights with any other country, local media reported quoting sources from PCB.
As per reports, the PCB has asked the ICC to provide a workable solution to the issue before the meeting.
“We remain firm in our position. Pakistan will not agree to a hosting arrangement where another country becomes involved. It is unacceptable for the Pakistani team to travel to India to play matches while the Indian team refuses to come to Pakistan,” the PCB is reported to have told the ICC.
The ICC Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held in February-March 2025, but India has refused to send its team to Pakistan. The PCB has repeatedly rejected the idea of a hybrid model, insisting on hosting the event in Pakistan as planned.
The ICC Board meeting is likely to address the concerns of Pakistan and explore possible resolutions. The PCB has made it clear that any decision must uphold fairness and equality.
Reports say that the PCB has also clarified to the ICC that its national team will not travel to India for upcoming tournaments if the Champions Trophy matches of the Indian team are played at a neutral venue.
Meanwhile, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, while addressing a press conference in Lahore on Thursday, said that the cricket board would do what’s in the best interest of Pakistan cricket.
“I promise we’ll do what is best for Pakistan cricket. I’m constantly in touch with the ICC chairman, and my team is talking to them constantly. We’re still clear in our stance that it’s not acceptable that we play cricket in India, and they don’t play cricket here. Whatever will happen, will happen on the basis of equality. We’ve told the ICC very clearly, and what happens next we’ll let you know,” he added.
“Whatever we do, we will make sure the best outcome for Pakistan is achieved. But I repeat, and I am sure you know what I mean, it’s not possible that Pakistan play in India, and they don’t come here,” he stated.
The PCB chairman hoped the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah after assuming the role of the ICC chairman would prioritise the benefit of the apex body.
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“(Jay Shah) takes charge in December, and I’m sure once he moves from the BCCI to the ICC, he will think about the ICC’s benefit, and that’s what he should do. Whenever anyone assumes such a role, he should only consider the interests of that organisation,” Mohsin Naqvi said.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has allocated a budget of Rs12.8 billion for the revamping of three stadiums to prepare them for hosting the ICC Champions Trophy next year. According to the PCB’s documents, out of the total cost of revamping the stadiums, Rs7.7bn is earmarked for the Gaddafi Stadium, Rs3.5bn for refurbishing Karachi’s National Bank Stadium while Rs1.5bn is allocated for the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
